A source told indieWIRE yesterday (Tuesday) that Artisan Entertainmenthas acquired Bennett Miller’s documentary “The Cruise“. The sourceindicated that the deal is set to be announced today. “The Cruise”, adigitally shot black & white portrait of Manhattan tour guide Timothy“Speed” Levitch, debuted in April at the 1998 Los Angeles IndependentFilm Festival. It premiered in New York at “docfest” and then screenedat the Newport Film Festival where it won the Audience Award.

The expected announcement comes on the heels of last week’s news thatthe company will begin production this fall on a new film, “A Stir ofEchoes“, written and directed by David Koepp and starring Kevin Bacon.A company representative told indieWIRE yesterday that Artisan has alsoclosed a deal with Steven Soderbergh (“Out of Sight“, “Sex, Lies & Videtape“)for a new film. The project, entitled “The Limey“, is based on a script byLem Dobbs. Casting is not yet set for the film which will begin productionon October 1st, according to the publicist.

>> “Pi” Solid and “Whatever” Slow in Opening Weekend; “Buffalo” Gains

Darren Aronofsky’s “Pi” opened strongly, bringing in $31,069 on threescreens, while Susan Skoog’s “Whatever” only managed $46,347 on 35screens, according to ShowBIZ Data. The service indicated that VincentGallo’s “Buffalo 66” gained 63% in its second, earning $155,263 on 32screens, for a total of $383,572.

>> Unapix On Board With Production Grant Program

Unapix films has joined the LAIFF‘s “Production Grant Program” (PGP),committing a $15,000 grant, and a first-look to the project that is selectedby PGP jury. In its first cycle, the program will offer discounted or donatedproducts or services to the film that is selected. Debut sponsors includeKodak, Panavision, and CFI. Todd A-O and Variety were also added asparticipants along with Unapix. The first PGP project selection is setto be announced in September, according to Robert Faust, head of the L.A.Film Collabrative which presents the LA Independent Film Festival andruns the PGP.

[For more information, call 213/960-9460.]

>> BET Investing Big Money Into New Production Company

Black Entertainment Television chairman Robert Johnson announcedearlier this week that the company is investing $100 million into aproduction company that will create at least three low-budget filmseach year and approximately 10 television movies annually. Johnsontold Variety that the features will be targeted at “black middle-classand urban audiences.” He told the Hollywood trade publication that thecompany will solicit scripts from writers who can tell “black stories.”Commenting specifically, Johnson told Variety, We don’t want to tellstories that traditionally focus on guns and drugs and broken families.There are so many black stories that are out there that are never told.”